How great a hand this treacherous and bloody generation amongst us, have long had in the miseries of other reformed Churches, in the destruction of the Palatinate; and in the betraying & loss of Rochelle, and how, by seeming overtures of Ambassies and Treaties for their relief, they have fomented, continued, and increased their calamities; are so fully known by you all, and miserably felt by some of your selves, that we need not speak any thing of them. And we suppose their inveterate hatred against you all, is sufficiently manifested, in that multitudes of them have refused to acknowledge any of you for Churches of Christ, because you are not Prelatical, and thereby (as they conceive) want a lawful; Vocation of Ministers. Sure we are, that amongst our selves in all these three Kingdoms, they have prevailed so far in advancing Popery, and depressing Religion, that it would require a Volume, rather than a Letter, to relate all the particulars. Scarce one thing can be thought upon, which may be supposed to be an argument of any intent set up popery, and even extirpate the true reformed Religion, but we could give ⟨p. 3⟩you abundant instances, that they have not only attempted, but in great measure prevailed for the putting thereof in execution. All the good and just Laws of this Kingdom against papists, (concerning their lives, liberties, and goods) suspended; Judges prohibited to proceed against condemned Priests, & ever Jesuits set free: Houses of superstition in Ireland and England set up, & not discountenanced: (beside the seldom or never questioned transportation of many young persons, to Seminaries in foreign parts) Notorious papists, contrary to known Laws permitted to come to Court, to reside there, & enjoy the favour & preferment of it: Multitudes of them released from legal penalties for time past, and time come: Prosecutors of them checked and discountenanced, Agents sent from hence into Italy; Nuncios and Agents from Rome received and treated with; such as warped that way; cherished and advanced: The most zealous Ministers and professors of Religion bitterly persecuted.
How great a hand this treacherous and bloody generation amongst us, have long had in the miseries of other refored Churches, in the destruction of the Palatinate; and in the betraying & losse of Rochell, and how, by seeming overtures of Ambassies and Treaties for their reliefe, they have fomented, continued, and encrased their calamities; are so fully known by you all, and miserably felt by some of your selves, that we need not speak any thing of them. And we suppose their inveterate hatred against you all, is sufficiently manifested, in that multitudes of them have refused to acknowledge any of you for Churches of Christ, because you are not Prelaticall, and thereby (as they conceive) vvant a lawfull; Vocation of Ministers. Sure vve are, that amongst our selves in all these three Kingdomes, they have prevailed so far in advancing Poperie, and depressing Religion, that it vvould require a Volume, rather than a Letter, to relate all the particulars. Scarce one thing can be thought upon, which may be supposed to be an argument of any intent set up popery, and even extirpate the true reformed Religion, but we could give ⟨p. 3⟩you abundant instances, that they have not onely attempted, but in great measure prevailed for the putting thereof in execution. All the good and just Lawes of this Kingdome against papists, (concerning their lives, liberties, and goods) suspended; Judges prohibited to proceed against condemned Priests, & ever Jesuites set free: Houses of superstition in Ireland and England set up, & not discountenanced: (beside the seldome or never questioned transportation of many young persons, to Seminaries in foraine parts) Notorious papists, contrary to known Laws permitted to come to Court, to reside there, & enjoy the favour & preferment of it: Multitudes of them released from legall penalties for time past, and time come: Prosecuters of them checked and discountenanced, Agents sent from hence into Italy; Nuntioes and Agents from Rome received and treated with; such as warped that vvay; cherished and advanced: The most zealous Ministers and professours of Religion bitterly persecuted.
